The other Saxons called up are Exeter flanker Tom Johnson, Gloucester wing Jonny May, Wasps prop Matt Mullan and Sale prop Henry Thomas, while the trio of Northampton fly-half Stephen Myler, Bath hooker Rob Webber and Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth will also train with the Six Nations squad.

They have been called up because Lancaster has eight elite squad players currently unavailable because of injury, including Leicester centre
Manu Tuilagi
and Northampton prop
Alex Corbisiero.

"We've got eight injuries in the senior squad, which is quite a significant number, but it creates a great opportunity for some other players," added Lancaster.

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England selection delights Ford

"Twenty months to the World Cup, 20 games to go, so we see it as the right time."

England only pick players based overseas in "exceptional circumstances" and Flood's pending move to France signals the end of his international career.

Lancaster described Flood's decision to play in the Top 14 as a "big blow".

He told BBC Sport: "To lose a player of that calibre, that experience, from our squad is disappointing.

"I had a couple of conversations with him and impressed our desire for him to stay and play his rugby at Leicester, and then be available for England.

England's injured EPS players

Manu Tuilagi (Leicester centre)

Tom Croft (Leicester flanker)

Marland Yarde (London Irish winger)

Alex Corbisierio (Northampton prop)

Christian Wade (Wasps wing)

Geoff Parling (Leicester lock)

David Wilson (Bath prop)

Ben Foden (Northampton full-back)

"But he's been great in the conversations, very mature, honest and open. We respect his opinion and wish him luck."

Ford is the only change to Lancaster's elite player squad, with Owen Farrell of Saracens and Gloucester's Freddie Burns the other fly-halves, although Burns has been earmarked to play for the Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds and Scotland A, with Myler promoted to train with the Six Nations squad.

Lancaster said the 20-year-old Ford's display during Bath's
27-27 draw
against Leicester at the weekend clinched his place in the squad.

He added: "We know a lot about him. He's been involved in the programme for a long time. I know him well and it's the right decision to bring him through.

"It's his temperament which sets him apart. He's got incredible maturity and great leadership for someone so young.

"I speak to experienced players at Bath and they can't believe he's so mature for a 20-year-old. He'll be excited and we're excited to have him."

BBC links

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